Graffiti Alley: The Centre of Graffiti Culture in Toronto

Graffiti is a controversial topic in Toronto; some see it as an art form, while others see it as nothing more than vandalism. Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford even vowed to remove all graffiti from Toronto’s streets. However despite some hostility to graffiti in the city, some steps were taken to protect property owners who did not want graffiti on their buildings from being removed.

Graffiti Alley has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers, and subsequently became recognised as an area of municipal significance by the City Council. The city even founded an organisation called StART to help nurture and manage legal street art.

Graffiti Alley remains a popular tourist attraction and has helped the local area become more recognised – in 2015, the Queen West area was named as the coolest neighbourhood in the world, and local tour companies offer guided tours of the alley.

If you’re interested in art and graffiti, then be sure to add Graffiti Alley to your Toronto itinerary – but until then, check out our gallery below!

Graffiti Alley can be quite grimy, but it adds to the atmosphereGraffiti Alley is popular with tourists, photographers and locals alikeThe alley runs from John Street to Bathurst StreetSome of the murals are truly huge!Some of the murals feature your favourite TV characters!Everywhere you look is covered with beautiful graffiti muralsIf you’re lucky, you might spot some local wildlife!Graffiti Alley can get busy, so consider visiting early